X Tables
time

Telling time to five minutes

Count around the clock in fives.

Quick answer

You can tell the time to five minutes by looking at the minute hand and counting in fives around the clock face.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read the time to five-minute intervals on an analogue clock and understand how the minute hand moves in fives. Success signs:
  • You can say the time when someone points to a clock face
  • You can match digital and analogue times
  • You can tell the time to five minutes in real-life situations
  • You can use the phrase "o’clock", "half past", "quarter to", and "quarter past" correctly

Why this matters

Knowing how to tell time to five minutes helps you understand your daily schedule, know when to eat lunch, when to go to bed, and when your favourite TV show starts. It's also useful for games, sports, and planning your day. In school, it helps you understand how long activities take and manage your time better. When you grow up, you'll use this skill for jobs, travel, and planning events.

How it works

The minute hand moves around the clock face. Each number on the clock represents five minutes. So, when the minute hand points to 1, it's 5 minutes past the hour. When it points to 2, it's 10 minutes past the hour. This continues around the clock face. The hour hand shows which hour it is, and the minute hand shows how many minutes past that hour.

Examples you can see

Let's look at some examples of telling time to five minutes:
Minute Hand Position Time How to Say It
12 (pointing up) 0 minutes 12 o’clock
1 5 minutes 5 past 12
2 10 minutes 10 past 12
3 15 minutes Quarter past 12
4 20 minutes 20 past 12
5 25 minutes 25 past 12
6 30 minutes Half past 12
7 35 minutes 25 to 1
8 40 minutes 20 to 1
9 45 minutes Quarter to 1
10 50 minutes 10 to 1
11 55 minutes 5 to 1
12 (pointing up again) 60 minutes 1 o’clock

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a time adventure! Imagine you are a time detective who needs to solve a mystery. The clock tower has stopped, and you must figure out what time it is by counting in fives around the clock face. Adventure Steps:
  • 1st time: The minute hand points to 1. What time is it?
  • 2nd time: The minute hand points to 3. What time is it?
  • 3rd time: The minute hand points to 6. What time is it?
  • 4th time: The minute hand points to 9. What time is it?
  • 5th time: The minute hand points to 11. What time is it?
  • 6th time: The minute hand points to 12. What time is it?
Answer Key:
  1. 5 past 12
  2. 15 past 12 (quarter past 12)
  3. 30 past 12 (half past 12)
  4. 45 past 12 (quarter to 1)
  5. 55 past 12 (5 to 1)
  6. 60 past 12 (1 o’clock)

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking the minute hand counts by ones, not fives.
    Why it happens: The minute hand moves smoothly around the clock, so it can be confusing to count by fives.
    Fix: Practice counting by fives around the clock face and use a finger or pen to point to each number as you count.
  • Mistake: Confusing "quarter past" and "quarter to".
    Why it happens: The words sound similar, and the minute hand is at the same distance from the numbers.
    Fix: Remember that "quarter past" means 15 minutes after the hour, and "quarter to" means 15 minutes before the hour.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 60 minutes is the same as one hour.
    Why it happens: Children often don’t understand that 60 minutes equals one full hour.
    Fix: Use a clock with a minute hand that moves in full circles to show this.
  • Mistake: Not understanding how to read the hour hand when the minute hand is at 12.
    Why it happens: The hour hand points directly to the number for the hour.
    Fix: Practice reading times when the minute hand is at 12 and the hour hand points to different numbers.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children learn to tell time to five minutes by:
  • Using a real clock or a clock app that shows the minute hand moving
  • Practicing with simple times like 5 past, 10 past, half past, and quarter to
  • Playing a game where you ask your child to tell the time on a clock
  • Using daily routines to practice telling time, such as "It's 10 past 7, time for breakfast"
  • Encouraging children to draw their own clocks and label the times
  • Using visual aids like a chart with the clock face and numbers

Practice questions

  1. What time is it when the minute hand points to 4 and the hour hand is between 1 and 2?
  2. What time is it when the minute hand points to 10 and the hour hand is between 3 and 4?
  3. What time is it when the minute hand points to 7 and the hour hand is between 5 and 6?
  4. What time is it when the minute hand points to 12 and the hour hand points to 9?
  5. What time is it when the minute hand points to 3 and the hour hand is between 7 and 8?
Answers:
  1. 20 past 1 (or 1:20)
  2. 10 to 4 (or 3:50)
  3. 25 to 6 (or 5:35)
  4. 9 o’clock (or 9:00)
  5. 15 past 7 (or 7:15)

FAQ

What is the easiest way to learn to tell time to five minutes?

Counting in fives around the clock face is the easiest way. You can use your fingers or a pen to point to each number and say the time aloud.

How can I help my child practice telling time to five minutes?

You can use a real clock, play time games, or make a clock with a paper plate and two hands. Practice during daily routines like breakfast or bedtime.

Why is it important to learn to tell time to five minutes?

It helps children understand their daily schedule, know when activities start and finish, and manage their time better in school and at home.

What should I do if my child is confused about quarter past and quarter to?

Use visual aids and practice with clocks. Explain that quarter past means 15 minutes after the hour, and quarter to means 15 minutes before the hour.

Can I use a digital clock to teach time to five minutes?

Yes, but it’s better to use an analogue clock to show how the minute hand moves. Digital clocks show the time in numbers, but they don’t show the movement of the hand.